FG to increase TCN wheeling capacity by 1000 Megawatts

The Federal Government has announced plans to increase the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) wheeling capacity by over 1000 Megawatts to boost electricity supply.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, said this while inspecting the ‘Abuja Ring Project’ being executed by TCN in Abuja on Friday.

Aliyu said the projects which are six in number were made up of lines and substations, adding that when completed it will increase TCN’s willing capacity with over 1000 Megawatts (MW).

“The project is about six and they are over 90 per cent completed and hope to be completed November December, the contractor is chasing the completion date and when completed it will increase power supply in Abuja and environ.

“This project is funded by a loan of 170 million dollars from the French Development Agency (AFD) and started by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in 2018 in the quest to increase the capacity the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),” he said.

The minister said the projects consist of a new substation in Dawaki, Gwarinpa, New Apo substation, Old Apo existing substation amongst others.

According to him, there has been a 132 Kilo Volt (KV) line existing from Suleja to Katampe which initially was at Kubwa.

He said the new substation would give Dawaki and environ more electricity as they have been depending on Kubwa.

He said a platform had been built at Old Apo Substation to receive a 60 Mega Volt Ampree transformer from the Siemens Power Project, adding that it will be installed in a couple of days.

“The new Apo substation is a new one and is recieving a 330 KVA line from Nassarawa to boost supply in Abuja and environ,” he said.

Speaking on the Siemens Power Project, the minster said some engineers would be going to France before the end of the month to do a factory test on some transformers.

Aliyu said some of the transformers were already in the country and some on high sea.

According to him, the mobile substation with so many components will start coming in January 2023 as they are being tested along with other transformers.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to be patient as government is doing a lot to improve power supply.

The Star

Segun Ojo